Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-25

This was most excellent service on the part OF
the general master workman. 1t prevents q dis
ruption which has seriously menaced the order; 1t
w.ich had begun, an which were likely to be-
come formidable; It Is the offer OF an olive branch
to trade untonism. NJ. Powderiy even went SO
far In this resp Ct as to secure the the passage OF
measure tending to reconciliation with the Inter-
tional Cigarmakers' Union, between which pow
erful body and the knights OF Labor there has
been for years past most embi Uttered strife. The
accommodation OF the members of that union
from the order, which was proclaimed last year.
inmate the unseem1y wrangl1ng OF recent times
between the various branches OF organized labor.
more, or nothing else, than 1t did In adopting
new departure concerning the relations OF the
order TO trade unionlsm the sound sense thus dis
played would have been ample 1usttncatton OF Its
procedure.
GENERALIZATION OF PowER.
The other great question under debate immedi-
ately related to that here spoken Of bore upon the
Capitalization OF power In the executive board at
the headquarters In Philadelphia. To begin with,
1t must oe noticed that the new POLICY regarding
the formation OF ira lie districts Is adverse to the
some Of the delegates were ch ,rged with seeking
TO establish. These trade districts are po sess-d
with large measure OF independence In dealing
with their own affairs They are empowered to
settle many questions that were previously within
the province OF the general executive board. They
are sure TO resent any undue interference from
headquarters, and they must be, TO all 1ntents and
purposes self-governing trade unions. In the next
place, the convention abolished the general strike
headquarters Tor assistance in case Of need, and
this IN ITSELF win largely reduce the feeling OF de-
pendence upon the central body that formerly ex-
the new policy Was favorable to the principles OF
local self-gOvernment The question next came
up, however, 10 another shape. Mr.. Powderly de-
sired change In the constitution by which he
himself would be empowered to select and appoint
the members of the general executive board,
elected T BY the dsieSstes convened in general @ as
rid Of two members, Messrs Barry and Bailey,
tons Of % poiicy T or management had made made them them
personally obnoxious to him. This project OF the
head OF the order brought about such a clash of
any national convention Of the Knights OF Labor.
Charges OF incapacity, mismanagement and cor
ruption were hurled from side TO side In the heat
OF upbr1dl0d passion and some OF the delegates
became apprehensive OF the disruption which had
been dreaded by all OF them. The delegates who
have returned from minneapolis 70 this city de-
way which would seem TO show the lmp0sSi-
bilitg OF future cooperation between the hostile
ton refused either TO give MT. Powderiy the new
power which he had demanded o. to accept his
resignation, or 70 grant him relief from the pres
ence OF his hostile colleagues In the 00ard. This
was the final and decisive blow at the most PROM
ising attempt yet made In the direction Of the CEN
trauZAtlon OF power AZ neaoQuaterA
BAD RESULTS or THE INDRcDIvR sfRu0GLR.
The worst OF the business Is that the debasing
accusations made BY the belligerents against each
other during the struggle cannot be obuterated,
even though the convention refused to take such
action toward either party a. was demanded by
the circumstances The whole matter was Left In
abeyance that must surely be unsatisfactory TO
ali directly concerned unless indeed its conduct be
regarded ~ indicating It's disbelief Of the charges
that blackenei the Air. WheL the quarrel was
ended the Delegates made haste % run through
such business q required to be settled before sd
one thing that surprised many Of the delegates
from this city Ia the Minneapolis convention Of the
Knights OF Labor WAS the oncial report CT the de-
cline In membership since Last year. They were
prepared, by thetr knowledge OF the condition OF
several of the New York d1stnctA 70 learn OF 10
duction In the strength Of the order but they had
seen many accounts OF its growth elsewhere that
few OF them wore aware OF falling on to the ex-
tent OF onethifd OF from 7O2 900 70 485 600 along
with an enormous increase or the expenses Of man.
Perhaps the storm In the CONVENTION and the
Abolition Of the strike fund may prove corrective
in regard 70 the financial management at head.
Quaften, ana It may BE- taken that the steps To-
ward the Decentralization OF power wiz prove id
vantageous to the order at large.
@uA->nA.